AMC Is Determined To Destroy Its Brand

YouTube/amcWalter White watches his new car explode in an episode of "Breaking Bad."

The three best networks on television are, in no particular order: FX, HBO, and AMC.

Both have had a remarkable run of great series, although FX kind of muddied their waters with Russell Brand and Charlie Sheen, while HBO is determined to be the home to quality dramas and dramedies, even if they are sometimes dull (Enlightened) or, arguably, overwrought (Newsroom).

AMC, on the other hand, had a sterling track record with Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead. Then they gave us Rubicon, which was not terribly well received, but at least it was very AMC-like (and beloved by four people), The Killing (what should’ve been great show if it hadn’t been mismanaged by Veena Sud), and Hell on Wheels, another show befitting the AMC brand but that not everyone has gotten into.

However, AMC is now officially tanking the brand, going from great and potentially-great dramas to reality crap. Kevin Smith’s Comic Book Men was just the beginning, followed by The Pitch, a decent enough reality show if you’re into the advertising industry. But pairing Small Town Security with Breaking Bad was like pairing a beautiful steak dinner with a bowl full of upchuck for dessert.

Unfortunately, it’s not getting better, as AMC veers further and further from the shows that put them on the map.

Add to that another reality competition, Owner’s Manual, which will pit two people against each other in a competition to see if it’s better to build with or without an owner’s manual, which sounds like another History channel show.

At least, AMC has seen fit to separate its drama from its reality programming, keeping the dramas on Sundays, and now launching all these reality shows in a Thursday night block. However, I think their brand would be much better off sticking exclusively to dramas. These reality shows will do little but dilute the once pristine reputation of the network.

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Editors' Picks

Agreed. If they want more non-movie content, I'd rather see them pick up old series along the lines of Bravo's old "Brilliant But Canceled" idea rather than more reality junk. Old seasons of Dexter or other edgier fare would fit well with Mad Men and Walking Dead. We don't need more Honey Boo Boos.